Near James Peak to Rollins Pass Loop
Rogers Pass Lake
Near James Peak to Rollins Pass Loop
Wildflowers near Rogers Pass Lake
Near James Peak to Rollins Pass Loop
Upper Forest Lake.
Near James Peak to Rollins Pass Loop
View looking west from James Peak
Near James Peak to Rollins Pass Loop
View from Rollins Pass, Colorado

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

James Peak to Rollins Pass Loop

4.7 (22 Ratings)
A big loop from Rollins Pass including James Peak and the CDT.
20.6
mi
Distance
4,996
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Commonly BackpackedFall ColorsLakeRiver/CreekViewsWildflowers

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
20.64mi
Distance
4,996ft
Elevation Gain
4,996ft
Elevation Loss
55%
Max Grade
13,262ft
High Point
9,211ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
From Moffat Tunnel, the South Boulder Creek Trail takes you above the treeline to Heart Lake and the continental divide at Rogers Pass. After reaching the pass, follow the trail south, along the west side of the divide until reaching the final summit push for James Peak. After summiting the peak, return back to Rogers Pass, then continue north along the CDT: South Boulder Creek to Rollins Pass. Be aware there is not actually a trail, but you'll just be following a series of posts/cairns along the ridge. In a few sections there are faint trails. The posts are easy to follow but it is slow going. Once there, follow the Rollins Pass (aka Corona Pass) road to a side trail up and over the Needle tunnel to the Forest Lakes Trail, taking that back to where you started. This also provides shorter options. Turning around after first reaching Rogers Pass results in a 9 mile hike. Those that summit James Peak and return directly via the South Boulder Creek Trail will have a 13.5 mile day. A hike that goes directly from Rogers Pass to Rollins Pass, skipping the trip to James Peak, will measure 16 miles. But there are no bailouts (besides turning around) once on the CDT headed to Rollins Pass (aka Corona Pass).

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Michael Reschly